Toward a theory of public ritual

Given that holidays both reflect a society's attributes and serve to modify , these attributes, they are a valuable tool for a macro-sociological analy sis. This paper proceeds by examining Durkheim's,well-known contributions o n rituals and advancing theoretical ideas on how these might be modified se eking to develop a theory of holidays. The article concerns the role of hol idays in managing tensions and recommitment to values; their role in relati ng communities to the society at large; their effect on gender roles, and t he theoretical issues concerning holiday cycles and holiday-engineering eff orts by religious authorities and states that have endeavored to adapt holi days for their own purpose. The article relies on public accounts, personal observations, and findings culled from a few studies by contemporary socia l scientists.